Ethiopia is East and Central Africa“s largest importer of food processing and packaging machinery

Ethiopia has the largest economy in East and Central Africa and is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, registering six to ten percent economic growth between 2004 and 2014 and a forecast of real GDP growth of 8.5 percent in 2015 and 2016 (IMF). The Ethiopian agrofood, plastics and packaging industry attracts massive private and public investment. Against this backdrop the German trade fair specialists fairtrade launch agrofood plastpack Ethiopia. The 1st International Trade Show on Agriculture, Food, Beverage and Plastics & Packaging Solutions and Technology for Ethiopia is scheduled from 04 to 06 October 2016 at the Millennium Hall, the most prestigious exhibition and conference hall in Ethiopia.

The German trade show specialists fairtrade launch agrofood plastpack Ethiopia on 04 to 06 October 2016 at the Millennium Hall, the most prestigious exhibition and conference hall in Ethiopia. The Heidelberg based organisers have a wealth of experience in the agrofood and the plastpack sector as fairtrade also organise iran agrofood in Tehran since 1994 with 947 exhibitors and 33,200 visitors in 2015, plast & printpack alger 2014 with 150 exhibitors from 23 countries and 2,500 visitors and recently held agrofood & plastprintpack Nigeria in Lagos in April 2015 featuring 91 exhibitors and 1,349 visitors.

„The idea to launch a professional platform especially for the Ethiopian business community was brought up by the exhibitors at our „agrofood & plastprintpack Nigeria 2015″ in Lagos last April. Now we are excited to create this new major platform for our long-term customers“, says Martin März, fairtrade“s CEO. „After a fact-finding mission to Addis Ababa and fruitful meetings with partners from industry, trade and service we are convinced, that this new business platform arrives perfectly in time.“

With 150 million Euros in 2014 (VDMA) Ethiopia is East and Central Africa“s largest importer of food processing and packaging machinery. The annual growth rate of 38 percent between 2010 and 2014 testifies Ethiopia as a market of the future that is just about to unfold. For manufacturers of food and packaging Global players like Heineken, Nestle, Unilever and others are entering the Ethiopian market and invest hundreds of million US $ in new food and beverage production facilities.

According to figures from the World Bank, the Ethiopian Agriculture accounts for about 48percent of gross domestic product (GDP) and 85 percent of exports, making it the cornerstone of the economy and the largest potential source of growth and prosperity. The Ethiopian agriculture has increased in the years 2011 to 2014 by 4.9 percent until 9.0 percent annually.
Ethiopia is East and Central Africa“s hub for the food trade. During the past years Ethiopian food imports have increased with an annual rate of 15 percent, from 0.866 billion US $ in 2009 to 1.797 billion US $ in 2014. Food exports even increased by 20 percent annually, to now more than 2.9 billion US$.

Further it is the 2nd largest importer of plastics and packaging machinery with an annual growth rate of 23 percent and 27 percent between 2010 and 2014. And Ethiopia is the largest importer of plastics in primary forms with a phenomenal annual growth rate of 46 percent between 2010 and 2014, reaching 527 million Euros in 2014.

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the seventh most populous country in the world (179 million inhabitants). Nigeria also stands for an abundance of natural resources such as oil, gas and agricultural land and an attractive and fast growing consumer market. The Nigerian agriculture and food processing industry attracts massive private and public investment. Against this backdrop the German trade fair specialists fairtrade launch agrofood Nigeria. The 1st International Trade Show on Agriculture, Food, Beverage & Packaging Technology and Food, Beverages & Hospitality is scheduled for 28 to 30 April 2015 at the brand-new Landmark Convention Centre in Lagos, Nigeria.

The German trade show specialists fairtrade launch „agrofood Nigeria“ at the brand-new Landmark Convention Centre in Lagos on 28-30 April 2015. agrofood Nigeria consists of agro, food + bev tec and food + hospitality Nigeria. The Heidelberg based organisers have a wealth of experience in the agrofood sector as fairtrade also organise „iran agrofood“ in Tehran since 1994 (766 exhibitors and 32,200 visitors in 2013) and have just recently held „agrofood & plastprintpack West Africa“ in Accra, Ghana last December featuring 81 exhibitors and 1,326 visitors.
„The idea to launch a professional platform especially for the Nigerian business community was brought up by the exhibitors and the organisers of national pavilions at our „agrofood & plastprintpack West Africa 2013″ in Accra last December“, says Martin März, fairtrade“s CEO. „Then we presented the project at a meeting with the economic counsellors of Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden in Lagos this February and received an all-around positive feed-back. Therefore we are excited to create this new major platform for our long-term customers.“

To create valuable synergies for exhibitors and visitors alike, agrofood Nigeria is held in conjunction with plastprintpack Nigeria, the 1st International Trade Show on Plastics, Composites, Chemistry and Printing & Packaging Solutions and Material.

As Austria is already committed to participate with a group of companies, the Commercial Counsellor with the Austrian Embassy in Lagos, Ms Nella Hengstler, points out: „Nigeria will be the next global manufacturing hub. The sheer size of Nigeria“s market combined with its large and young work force will attract massive investments in the manufacturing industry. Machines and production materials will continue to be imported, though. I therefore welcome and support agrofood & plastprintpack Nigeria 2015 as it is important for European suppliers to be on ground early before the real run on Nigeria starts“.

The partners of fairtrade in Nigeria are AHK Nigeria-the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria and the Nigerian-German Business Association-NGBA. Andre Rönne, delegate of AHK and general manager of NGBA points out: „Increasing prosperity and the rapidly increasing population numbers are the consumer-promoting factors in Nigeria, which is also reflected by investments into the construction of shopping malls and the food processing and food packaging industry. The agrofood & plastprintpack Nigeria comes at exactly the right time, and we look forward to a constructive and successful cooperation with the fairtrade team.“

According to VDMA-The German Engineering Association, Nigerian imports between 2010 and 2012 of food processing and packaging technology have increased from 198 million Euros to 275 million Euros, an increase of 39 per cent. In the same period imports of agricultural machinery and equipment went up from 46 million Euros to 62 million Euros, plus 35 per cent and imports of finished food products rose by 11 per cent from 3.7 billion US dollars in 2009 to 4.1 billion US dollars in 2010.

Experts frequently describe Nigeria as the economic powerhouse in West Africa, because it is the 2nd largest economy in Africa, expected to overtake South Africa in the near future and expected to become one of the world’s Top 20 economies by 2050.
„We will make the stay in Lagos comfortable for our exhibitors as we organize a shuttle-service from the airport to the Four Points Sheraton Hotel, and from there on a daily basis to and from the Landmark Convention Centre“, says Dominik Rzepka, head of PR with fairtrade.

The brand-new Landmark Convention Centre is strategically positioned on the grounds of Landmark Village, a spectacular beach front location extending over 9.4 acres on Victoria Island, the heart of the vibrant and lively Lagos business district. Lying in close proximity to the British International School, Four Points Sheraton Hotel, Oriental Hotel, The Palms Shopping Mall, Exxon Mobil HQ and Diamond Bank HQ, this location makes it easily accessible from anywhere in the city. The Landmark Village develops over 300 meters of beachfront overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and accommodating also the Hard Rock Cafe and the Shiro Japanese Restaurant.

The Landmark Convention Centre provides modern and flexible exhibiting and conferencing solutions with a ceiling height of 14m, power connections provided at every 6m throughout the hall through underground electrical cabling network, five spacious meeting rooms and two larger conference rooms of varying sizes from 8 to 150 attendees and catering operated by Silver Plates, a top-notch international F&B chain.

About fairtrade:
fairtrade ranks among the leading organizers of professional international trade fairs in the emerging markets of Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North Africa ever since its foundation in 1991. Headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany, fairtrade maintains a powerful network of agencies and partnerships throughout the world while focusing on achieving an ever higher degree of customer satisfaction, providing excellent service and generating valuable business contacts for exhibitors and trade visitors alike. ISO 9001:2008 certified and as a member of UFI The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, fairtrade organizes events according to the UFI quality norms.

WILD will be exhibiting at this year’s food & drink technology Africa from March 18 through March 19 in Johannesburg. The great taste expert will present its innovative beverage concepts suitable for the African market which manufacturers of non-alcoholic products can utilize to stimulate additional growth. The focus will be on beverages with malt, beer mix, and carbonated soft drinks as well as still drinks. The spectrum demonstrated at the show will be complemented by innovative food concepts.

As one of the world“s leading suppliers of natural ingredients, WILD is always on top of international markets and therefore the ideal partner. At the booth in Johannesburg, the company will present selected product highlights for the African market. WILD has the right innovation and solution for new growth for every manufacturer. In Johannesburg, WILD will have a special focus on the category malt, offering a broad portfolio of great tasting malt beverages to customers, from simplified versions, over light and dark variants up to innovative combinations with fruit flavors. Concepts for beer mix drinks will be another highlight topic for WILD at the fair. The ingredients specialist will display concepts with juice such as „Cloudy Lemon“ and „Pink Grapefruit“ as well as versions with innovative taste profiles based on harmonizing fruity flavors and juices.

In addition, WILD welcomes visitors to the booth to inform them on carbonated soft drinks. Apart from classical versions, the company will show innovations featuring new taste profiles, based on its fermentation technology. Furthermore, the spotlight in Johannesburg will be on still drinks. WILD will highlight concepts which cater to the consumer demands for high indulgence and full-bodied taste, among them emulsion-based as well as milk and juice variants. The most popular taste profiles are tropical fruits such as mango and guava. The WILD booth will also have non-alcoholic crossover beverage concepts such as juice-based drinks with pioa colada and sangria flavors. As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of ingredients for energy drinks, additionally to classic flavors, WILD is presenting innovative product ideas like combinations with fruity flavors or juice as well as new developments such as energy plus malt.

Besides the wide selection of beverage concepts, WILD will show new concepts for food such as hard-boiled candies, which combine mint and fruit flavors, as well as its „energy chewing gums“.

Food and beverage manufacturers can get comprehensive information on all of WILD“s ingredients and innovative turnkey concepts at the WILD booth throughout the course of the fair, from March 18 – 19.

Images:
Image: WILD_at_ftd_2014_c_WILD/Fotolia.jpg
Caption: Be it malt beverages, carbonated soft drinks, beer mix drinks or still drinks – WILD will present a multitude of innovative beverage concepts for the African market that manufacturers can use to generate new growth.
Source: WILD/Fotolia (can be reprinted for free in articles and if source is cited)

About WILD Flavors GmbH
WILD Flavors GmbH is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, and is one of the world“s leading suppliers of natural ingredients to the food and beverage industry. In addition to its main management office in Zug, subsidiaries with major production sites are located in Heidelberg-Eppelheim, Germany (Rudolf Wild GmbH & Co. KG) and Erlanger, Kentucky, USA (WILD Flavors, Inc.). Thirteen further production sites are situated in Europe, USA, Canada, China, Japan, India and Dubai.

The WILD Flavors product portfolio includes full flavor and ingredient solutions, known as flavor systems, fruit juice concentrates and blends as well as other food and beverage ingredients: natural flavors and extracts, mint oils and flavors, colors from natural sources, sweetening systems, seasonings and specialty ingredients such as taste modifiers. Fermentation technologies complete the portfolio.

Zurich, Switzerland, January 15th, 2014 – The African beer brand SKOL introduces Impact Bottles made by Ball Packaging Europe to market its SKOL PLATINUM beer in Rwanda. The Impact extruded bottle is first launched on the growing African market which is set to double in size over the next ten years. The longneck aluminum flask emphasizes the premium brand in adding elegance at point of sale. With its entire surface printed in eight different colors, the design shines to attract a luxury thirsty target group. Protecting the product from light and air, the shiny pack consistently keeps content fresh and quality steady.

The brand team around SKOL has a vision: They want to build SKOL to a major quality beer brand all over Africa. Connecting people by creating relieve, aspiration and fun, they see consumers at the heart of everything they do. Looking for superior quality, service and innovation opportunities, they worked with beverage can producer Ball and opted for the premium product Impact Bottle to underline the superior quality of their SKOL PLATINUM Beer.

The 33cl Impact Bottle targets a young and urban consumer group between the age of 22 and 28. Mark Mugarura, marketing director at SKOL in Rwanda, is convinced of the benefits of the longneck aluminum bottle: „We always strive to be unique and differentiate ourselves from our competitors. An innovative packaging like the Impact Bottle provides us with a great opportunity to add to our portfolio.“

It is no surprise that Aluminum bottles are in growing demand, as they’re perceived as the absolute premium form of metal packaging. The innovative lifestyle packaging is preferred by modern consumers and product benefits include the premium appeal, enabled also by the creative design options with eye-catching graphics (Inks: Up to eight colors can be applied, including gold/silver, UV/ fluorescent, transparent/opaque plus three options of over varnish: gloss, semi-matte & matte).

The Impact Bottle is one hundred percent recyclable and offers advantages for manufacturer and consumer alike: It is light, cannot shutter, chills fast and feels cool. An air cushion absorbs the pressure of carbonation and so reduces the risk of fizzing. The slender bottle serves as a brand ambassador at point of sale or at high-profile events and premium hotspots. „Our Impact Bottles have a premium appeal,“ says Adriana Escobar, product manager at Ball. „In addition they are absolutely lightproof and act as a shield for sensitive beverages, protecting the quality of the product perfectly and hence allowing the consumer to indulge in a thorough brand experience.“

Just the right packaging, to help our customer in fulfilling their mission to make SKOL a PAN-AFRICAN beer brand building on its African, Brazilian and European roots. SKOL will use the Impact Bottle primarily as packaging for special occasions or limited offers. „The initial launch is planned for the Rwandan market only, but if our consumers appreciate our beer in the new Impact Bottle, we may adopt it in some of our other markets,“ said Mugarura.

Impact Bottles by Ball Packaging Europe are made of aluminum and are available in sizes: 33cl – 50cl short neck and 33cl – 47,3cl long neck. Full decoration is possible in up to 8 colors (including gold/silver, UV, fluorescent, transparent/opaque). The end is typically a crown cork and the packaging is 100%, and endlessly, recyclable.

About Ball Corporation
Ball Corporation supplies innovative, sustainable packaging solutions for beverage, food and household products customers, as well as aerospace and other technologies and services primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ 15,000 people worldwide and reported 2012 sales of more than $8.7 billion. For more information, visit www.ball.com, or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.

Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains „forward-looking“ statements concerning future events and financial performance. Words such as „expects,“ „anticipates,“ „estimates“ and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Key risks and uncertainties are summarized in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Exhibit 99 in our Form 10-K, which are available on our website and at www.sec.gov. Factors that might affect: a) our packaging segments include product demand fluctuations; availability/cost of raw materials; competitive packaging, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and weather; crop yields; competitive activity; failure to achieve productivity improvements or cost reductions; mandatory deposit or other restrictive packaging laws; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major customer or supplier; political instability and sanctions; and changes in foreign exchange or tax rates; b) our aerospace segment include funding, authorization, availability and returns of government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and technical uncertainties affecting segment contracts; c) the company as a whole include those listed plus: changes in senior management; successful or unsuccessful acquisitions and divestitures; regulatory action or issues including tax, environmental, health and workplace safety, including U.S. FDA and other actions or public concerns affecting products filled in our containers, or chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process; technological developments and innovations; litigation; strikes; labor cost changes; rates of return on assets of the company’s defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes; uncertainties surrounding the U.S. government budget, sequestration and debt limit; reduced cash flow; ability to achieve cost-out initiatives; interest rates affecting our debt.

MONDAY, 7 OCTOBER, COLOGNE: Penang, one of the key industrialised states in Malaysia is presenting its halal production capabilities at ANUGA 2013. Its booth, which is managed by the state agency called Halal Penang, is part of the Malaysian pavilion in hall 1.1at ANUGA 2013. The Malaysian pavilion is organised by the Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE).

Penang’s strength in halal food and beverage production will be represented by eight companies, each offering various segments of the global halal supply chain network.

Penang state’s efforts at ANUGA 2013 are part of its international initiative to bring greater awareness to its capabilities within the halal sector. In the past it has also participated in trade fairs such as Sharjah Expo & Halal Congress (United Arab Emirates), The Gulf Food Expo and Arab Travel Mart (Dubai), Morrocco Expo Halal International 2nd Edition, Expo Pakistan, Istanbul Helal Expo & Conference, Thaifex – World of Food Asia (Bangkok), The World Halal Forum and Malaysian International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) in Kuala Lumpur as well as the Organisation of Islamic Council (OIC) Muslim Biz Exhibitions in Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur.

Penang will once again host International Halal Expo and Conference next year. Organised for the 5th consecutive time, the event will be held over three days (17-19 Jan) at the Subterranean Penang International Concention and Exhibition (SPICE). The Halal Expo will showcase products and services from more than 200 booths of local and international halal industry players. The Halal Conference, which will be held concurrently with the Expo at the same venue will focus on halal ingredients. It will include participation from renowned local and international scholars and business players. This conference is set to discuss latest issues and solutions regarding halal ingredients, being a vital element in the development in the halal industry.

These programmes are part of Penang’s continuous effort to brand itself as The Global Halal Centre. This strong initiative is being undertaken by Halal Penang – the State’s halal facilitation agency responsible in the promotion and development of halal industries in PENANG and its region.

About MATRADE
Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) was established on March 1, 1993 as the external trade promotion arm of Malaysia’s Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI). Its functions are:
-To promote, assist and develop Malaysia’s external trade with particular emphasis on the export of manufactured and semi-manufactured products and services;
-To formulate and implement export marketing strategies and trade promotion activities to promote Malaysia’s export;
-To undertake commercial intelligence and market research and create a comprehensive database of information for the improvement and development of Malaysia’s trade;
-To organise training programmes to improve the international marketing skills of Malaysian exporters;
-To enhance and protect Malaysia’s international trade investment abroad; and
-To promote, facilitate and assist in the services areas related to trade.